Eliza Lee
Also known as Clear the track, let the Bull Jine run
Bull jine was an American slang term for a railway engine (there was an early steam locomotive manufactured by the John Bull company). This was a capstan song said to be a favourite in the Yankee packets. It is almost the same tune as an Irish folk song “Shule Agra” but the refrains show a Negro influence. It seems that rather than face the winter Atlantic, which was absolute hell, sailors would jump ship in New York or Boston, and spend the winter stowing timber, or cotton, or other materials aboard other ships. On these jobs, the sailors met black labourers who sometimes worked with the railroads. The work songs melded, and some great music resulted, such as this song.
Eliza Lee
Oh, we’re outward bound for New York town
Ho, wey, ho, are you most done?
We’ll dance them Bowery girls around
Clear away the track and let the bulgine run,
Ho, wey, ho, are you most done?
We’ll dance them Bowery girls around
Clear away the track and let the bulgine run,
To my hey rig a jig in a jaunting car,
Ho, wey, ho, are you most done?
With Eliza Lee all on my knee,
So clear away the track and let the bulgine run,
Oh the day was fine, the wind was free,
Ho, wey, ho, are you most done?
And Eliza Lee sat there on my knee,
Clear away the track and let the bulgine run,
To my hey rig a jig in a jaunting car…
Oh, I thought I heard the old man say
Ho, wey, ho, are you most done?
We’ll leave that brig three points away
Clear away the track and let the bulgine run,
To my hey rig a jig in a jaunting car…
And when we’re back in Liverpool town
Ho, wey, ho, are you most done?
I’ll stand you whiskies all around
Clear away the track and let the bulgine run,
To my hey rig a jig in a jaunting car…